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LUTHERAN L AYMAN July - August 2016

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By Albert E. Jabs

HY DID THE LUTHERAN HOUR have such a grip on a seven-year-old boy, living in Terryville, Connecticut, in 1939?

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Presenting the BIG Gospel . . . .8 100 Years in the Making . . . .10 TV Classics Now on DVD. . . . . 11 ‘We the Church’ Special Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Election Results . . . . . . . . . . 18 New Opportunities Open. . . . . 22

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by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

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Community in Christ

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

with Speaker Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz

s I write this, I’ve just returned from what has to and all of you, pastors and people who listen to us be one of the best parts of my being the Speaker each week and use the resources that we provide to of The Lutheran Hour—it’s the yearly “Oswald C. accomplish the mission for which our Lord Jesus has J. Hoffmann White River Fishing Trip” in Arkansas, sent us. Each week, as we “gather” in our churches, with some of the most wonderful people on the we are “gathered” by a common faith, a powerful planet. It is a group of Christians committed to The message, and a desire to encourage and motivate Lutheran Hour and Lutheran Hour Ministries. It was one another in a life that honors Christ and blesses a gathering that was convened 49 years ago as a time others. I know of no otherorganization in the world of refreshment for the Speaker, but also as a time of that gathers for such a mission, with such a message, camaraderie and encouragement for the attendees through such a people. as well. Down through the years, To that end, let me encourage It’s amazing how attendees have been generals, navy you, “Keep up the good work,” and quickly another’s seals, chaplains, captains of industry, let our resources be a blessing to business owners, church workers, burdens or another’s you, to refresh you, to encourage doctors, dentists, entrepreneurs you and to empower you to be the successes can be and others—all gathered together carried or celebrated people that God has gathered you to in Christ for refreshment, Biblical be, a “graced people” with a Gospel because you have a message that can still bless others, a encouragement, camaraderie, and Gospel compulsion to message that can change hearts and of course, fishing. Community in Christ—there’s wish the best for your lives. One reason that I know this something very special about that. brother/sister in Christ. is true is simple: I’ve seen it at the It is amazing to me how quickly White River in Arkansas. I’ve seen it perfect strangers can become fast friends because in the churches I’ve served in my five years as Speaker. of a common, shared faith. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve seen it in the people I’m privileged to work with another’s burdens or another’s successes can be at LHM. We have a faith community in Christ—such carried or celebrated because you have a Gospel a community, one whose participants are ready to go compulsion to wish the best for your brother/sister the extra mile for one another, ready to always put in Christ. I know the Seltz version of the fishing trip the best construction on things in struggle, ready to has become a joyful gathering for me because of how pray for each other. Why? Because we share a Lord welcoming everyone was to the new Speaker, and how and Savior who does all that and more for us. That committed the new guests (those I now get to invite) kind of community is needed now, more than ever. are in maintaining such camaraderie on into the Thanks for being a part of it with me! future. (By the way, say a prayer of thanks since next God Bless. n year will be the 50th anniversary of the fishing trip!) Hear Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz All of this made me think about “all of us” together, on The Lutheran Hour and too,—all of us here at The Lutheran Hour and LHM,

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L AYMAN The Lutheran

Vol. 87, No. 4 July - August 2016

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Bringing Christ to the Nations — and the Nations to the Church

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

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My father was convinced that this Speaker of The Lutheran Hour had answers to life and death, war and peace, and everything else in between—thanks to the Holy Spirit. As my older brother Max and I walked to the bus on September 1, 1939, to attend Immanuel Lutheran school (in Bristol) in the first grade (taught by tall, Mr. Oscar Wulff), we heard of the news that World War II had broken out right through our ancestral family farm along the Vistula River, not too far from Warsaw. That grand city was being bombed! World events and life events affected four boys named Max, Albert, Robert, and Ernest Jabs. Our father had a short-wave radio, so he could follow the fast moving events and dangers surrounding the old family farm and the ethnic Germans in Poland in the small farm village of Gross Dembe, perhaps 40 miles from Warsaw. Soldiers and war would be passing in the area. In fact, the dangers of death were considerable on both sides of the opening conflict—Poles and Germans, Jews, and Ukrainians. In this existential situation of life and death, parents Albert and Lydia called the four boys down to the living room where the family could listen to the powerful and consoling voice of Dr. Walter A. Maier. My father was convinced that this Speaker of The Lutheran Hour had answers to life and death, war and peace, and everything else in between— thanks to the Holy Spirit.

The Lutheran Hour’s (*) inaugural broadcast came on October 2, 1930, when Dr. Maier announced that “the Lutheran Laymen’s League is conscious of but one purpose, actuated by one impulse: the consuming desire to hold up the Cross of Christ of Jesus Christ to the 120,000,000 people of our nation as the only but all-sufficient source of salvation, both spiritual and temporal.” Among the listeners was Oswald Hoffmann, soon to be 17 years old (in 1955 he would rise to the position of Speaker for The Lutheran Hour): “I remember that first day. All of us hung around this radio-box which was a pretty big box in the living room in those days, and we were proud to hear this voice coming over those air waves….The fact of the matter is that Walter A. Maier took the church right out onto Main Street there at that moment.” By 1939, after its resurgence in the mid-1930s, the radio program was among the top broadcasts of its era. Why? Maier clearly noted, “The Lutheran Hour purposes a faith built not upon towering heights of skyscrapers, but upon the love of God; a faith founded not on hoarded wealth and gilt-edged bonds, but upon the Scriptures and the sacred promise of our heavenly Father’ a faith that strengthens the mind and heart for every challenge life offers.”

(*) Special sections in blue were selected by the editor from sources in the Research Center Archives of LHM.

‘Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people!’

As offspring, we caught that spirit of faith and understanding, that irrespective of what may be transpiring around the old family farm there was dying and wounding in the ethnic German families in Poland, including our own. This was made clearer to me in subsequent years through history books on which I lectured. There were considerable tragedies perpetrated on Polish and Jewish people, and with Soviet Russia entering the war against Poland on September 17 of 1939, the involvement of Western European powers sent worries of long-distance carnage swirling all around. In this desperation, Dad, as the leader of the household, took us to The Lutheran Hour each week, which was the absolute right thing to do. Additionally, there were the Lutheran churches of Holy Trinity, in Terryville, and Immanuel, in Bristol, that would be see next page

“The Lutheran Laymen’s League is conscious of but one purpose, actuated by one impulse: the consuming desire to hold up the Cross of Jesus Christ to the 120,000,000 people of our nation as the only but all-sufficient source of salvation, both spiritual and temporal.” The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

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PEACE Amid Turmoil “M

y father was from the south side of the Vistula River with roots in an ethnic German farm community which stretched back to circa 1735. Those ancestors were brought there perhaps because of their skills in dealing with annual floods and farming the land. However, being an Evangelical Lutheran German minority, they had to think of survival a good part of the time since this minority community would be surrounded by large nonLutheran Polish communities and the Czarist kingdom of Russia. “In this kind of environment, Grandfather Emil emigrated to the United States, circa 1901, and in a few years married Amalia Henke. Albert, my father, was their firstborn. My grandparents made a major mistake by heading back to the farm before World War One, and my father returned with them. In 1929 he returned to America and eventually with wife Lydia assisted in the relocation of refugees, including their own family. It seemed so real to get letters describing the fears and persecution in Poland where for many years, ethnic Germans were considered as a Fifth Column and were vulnerable to persecutions. Following the end of the First World War, the German ethnic minority was constantly going to the League of Nations in order to obtain justice. The fanaticism on both sides and the war plus language of the Third Reich increased the tensions. The Hitler regime took advantage of these grievances. The Lutheran Hour really did speak to us in the aftermath of those local difficulties and global battles.” For example, Dr. Walter A. Maier said this to his listeners in 1939: “Frantically have men sought escape from the skeletal hand that writes the end to every human hope. We try to lengthen life by checking disease, controlling diet, living rationally; but despite the splendid results attained by medical science the average life span is no much longer today than in the last generation….Almost two billion human beings populate the globe today…Oh, that…the myriads who quiver and quake…would believe that through faith in Christ’s resurrection they are ‘risen with Christ,’ that death no longer has dominion over them…when you have the triumphant faith…you realize that, no matter what unbelieving men may say, you are more than a human accident, a helpless plaything of fate….” Maier went on, “What complete comfort those who are Christ’s can find in the…pledge that they are risen with Him! How earnestly we should strive to understand, as far as this is humanly possible, the blessed promise of eternal life with Jesus where every sorrow earth knows will be completely banished, every problem solved, every burden removed, every wound healed, every question answered, and every moment of that eternity filled with indescribable joy, unspeakable peace, unutterable glory—all in the heavenly presence of an ever-living Savior!” n

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Dr. Maier: It’s time “to proclaim the full, free, final Gospel of salvation.…”

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supporting influences in our battles with other different ethnic youths who were inevitably drawn into rage against the “German Lutheran” kids such as my brothers and me. Those congregations were well aware of global events but those seemed so vast and distant until war broke out at Pearl Harbor on December 7, l941. The Lutheran Hour, with Dr. Walter Maier, as well as the local Missouri Synod churches, were the anchors which held life together for this American German family. Each week stories would be read in the local Bristol Press, and weekly through Life magazine, and through the New York Daily News. The chapters of history unfolded as the war unfolded, but it was The Lutheran Hour that stitched it all together, by the grace and mercy of our Lord. The Jabs family was one of countless families that regularly tuned in the program. One listener in Jamaica gave these accolades in 1943: “I listen to your program and enjoy it very much. I’m sure that all who hear it must derive some spiritual benefit. I am a new convert who accepted the Lord through hearing your broadcasts over station HCJB, from Quito, Ecuador. I want to live as full a life for God as I possibly can.” A listener in war-ravaged England wrote: “Many is the time when we have had to leave our beds during (an air) raid, and after the all-clear we have tuned in and picked you up. On one occasion in particular during a severe Blitz on my home town…I cannot tell

you in words what it meant to us at that time. It has been just like the voice of almighty God encouraging me.” Lutherans in the Terryville and Bristol area certainly were conscious of The Lutheran Hour, and if they had a radio, which many did, the availability of listening to WAM (Maier) was present. Yet, even with the Maier voice and the power of The Lutheran Hour, there is the impression that folks turned their attention to what the local Lutheran Pastor was saying. With the advent of the full blown war, the local congregations put emphasis on those who were drafted to serve. In Immanuel, about 200 “went to the colors,” and four gave the supreme sacrifice. All soldiers were sent on their own way with prayers that they would come back alive. Maier encouraged: “It is time for the churches to proclaim the full, free, final Gospel of salvation from sin, hell, death, with the promise of deliverance from fear, worry, and doubt. This is the time, high time, for the churches to follow their charter instruction, ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people!’ by pouring the soothing, healing balm of the divine, errorless Word into the soul wounds of this suffering age…that Jesus is the one Hope of our age…the sole Source of salvation, the one Answer to every personal problem, the only Friend who never fails.”

The chapters of history unfolded as the war unfolded, but it

WAM, the first Lutheran Hour Speaker, had earned his fare by washing dishes at Concordia in Bronxville, New York, made his way through the language and other requirements at the school and served as an Army Chaplain during World War One. Undoubtedly, his gifts were polymathic and his experiences as a chaplain prepared him for blessed ministry. WAM knew how to move minds and hearts, and he certainly did that for me and my family. When the Second World War ended in May and September of 1945, a new war emerged against all things German. Civilians had to bear the brunt. The list of retributions after the war against German civilians and refugees still is largely unpublicized. Dr. Walter A. Maier made a trip to Germany, along with then Missouri Synod President Dr. John Behnken, but much bitter and abusive language and retribution took over. At least 14 million were forced to leave their Eastern European homelands as refugees. Dr. Maier was aware of this challenge. He supported

Dr. Oswald Hoffmann saw the results of war first-hand during several speaking tours in Vietnam, where he met many in military service.

the Marshall Plan and the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to bring aid to the suffering masses. At a time when the world needed the solid guidance and consolation of God’s Word, Dr. Walter A. Maier was stricken with a series of heart attacks and left this world in January of 1950. The Lutheran Hour changed in style of delivery but not in solid content. Pastor Lawrence Acker stepped into the interim, blessed with the ability to be a counselor on the air waves. In the aftermath of war, he is honored and remembered as a loyal servant of Jesus Christ.

meeting human needs. I remember his retirement because of illness, his sermons up in Indiana where in the pulpit he could bring up issues clearly and emphasized the necessity of the Word of God in dealing with war, and all the other crises that this dedicated pastor went through. In a talk in LaPorte, Indiana, I still recall a sermon which he gave on “Why war came.” He was methodical, knew his history, but importantly knew the strength of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christ loved us in spite of our sins, our meanness, our selfishness, our willingness to go our own way instead of God’s way… He reaches out constantly to us in love.

“I may not know your name; I may never have met you… but this I know. There are moments these grim days, when you are distressed by a sense of helplessness and futility, and when you long for divine direction and inner strength,” said Oldsen on The Lutheran Hour, amid the early stage of the Cold War and at the height of the Korean War. “We are bound together, you and I, and a host of others, in a search for spiritual security…undergirded by an unwavering trust in God’s never-failing promise to help.”

THAT’S GRACE!

“My friends, have you found the abundant life? Have you found forgiveness for your sins, peace for your soul, and assurance for the life to come in the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God?...Believe that He is, as He claimed to be and proved Himself to be, the Son of God, almighty and eternal,” Dr. Acker proclaimed on the air waves, domestically and internationally. “Believe that He is the Christ, and promised Deliverer of God’s people.” As my brothers and I drifted into adulthood and set our own paths in life, I recall the impact of Dr. Armin Oldsen, a professorial man of the cloth. He was blessed to have had a distinctive career as a professor at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he combined talents with President O.P. Kretzmann to write a book that exhibited great understanding about

Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, who served the longest tenure on The Lutheran Hour for 33 years, was blessed in many ways. He knew how to meet people, and he knew how to time his thoughts. Blessed with an awesome sense of humor he could make an instant connection, and his stories could fill several books. I will never forget when he talked about General Jack Vesey, a Lutheran, who headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ronald Reagan. That was the highest post in the United States military. Dr. Hoffmann was his friend, and I suppose, his spiritual advisor. “No one can share the Gospel, unless he has it himself. We say this without boasting or arrogance—The Lutheran Hour has the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is this that makes The Lutheran Hour an evangelical program. We believe exactly what St. Peter believed—that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved… Even if nothing else should turn out to be true, this would remain true….Christ loved us in spite of our sins, our meanness, our selfishness, our willingness to go our own way instead of God’s way…He reaches out constantly to us in love. That’s grace! The Undeserved love of God! We believe that through the grace—the constant, inexhaustible grace—of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” see next page

was The Lutheran Hour that stitched it all together, by the grace and mercy of our Lord. The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Gospel’s

It was with boldness that Dr. Hoffmann risked life itself to visit tense areas of South Korea and address the American troops stationed there. He also visited troops in Vietnam. Instead of entertaining one-line jokes and skits, he shared the Good News of Christ Jesus, bringing it right to the hearts, lives, and tensions of wartime. “I am under no illusions about myself—I need to be saved. I am under no illusions about you—you need to be saved. Hydrogen bombs could drop on all our great cities tomorrow, and still we would not have seen the ultimate destruction toward which the world is rushing—from which it can be saved by God alone. The doom from which each of us must be saved, if we are to escape it, resides right within ourselves, although we may not be aware of it. It is that separation from God, that insistence on being ourselves just as we are without God and without hope in the world; that blithe and headlong flight along the road that leads nowhere at all—except to death—this it is from which we know we are saved through

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At the time Dr. Hoffmann was serving his Lord with The Lutheran Hour, I had to make a weekly trek to Shaw University, Raleigh, from Columbia, South Carolina, and along the way I would listen to a tape I had recorded of The Lutheran Hour’s recent broadcast. So when I arrived at this black university, with a Mosque next to my office, I could regularly involve the classes with an animated discussion about Jesus Christ and Mohammed. It worked! Inevitably, in this pluralistic culture, I would raise the issue of Jesus Christ and Mohammed, and would have a “Jesus chair” in front of the class, which a particular student could occupy. Well, it was blessed to become something of a revival….

Added IMPETUS … A

lbert and Lydia Jabs, along with LCMS Pastor George Meyer of Immanuel church, helped Germans reach safety. Dr. Jabs recalls his parents: “I suppose they were close to what was in the underground railroad to rescue slaves in my own American South. I even helped in putting food and clothing packages together and so did many others within the congregation. I understand that the Lutheran headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, was aware of my parents’ distinctive work in keeping nine of my relatives alive. Eventually seven of those family members were assisted in coming to the United States. “Recently Karl Kleiner of Nurnberg translated 75 letters written in German from our family members during turbulent postwar persecution in Poland. This is being proposed as a necessary publication for a record on this unique survival of family. Karl was also sponsored by my brother Max, and myself. Living the Gospel is important to our family story. The Lutheran Hour gave added impetus to that labor of love. It still is a mainstay in my life, helping me and others realize the importance of living the Christ-filled life.” n 6

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 6:23).” Dr. Wallace Schulz as Associate Speaker of The Lutheran Hour was amenable to discussion and served for 25 years. What stands out in my mind is the fact that he spent concluding months of the Cold War in Eastern Europe with all of its torturous history, right through the collapse of the Soviet Union as time marched forward. With historical, family roots in that area, I continually wonder whether we can make more inroads. Maybe some day…. Dr. Dale Meyer’s time as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour resulted in a vigorous effort to reach school-age children, youth, and young adults. His messages were brimming with careful thought and solid applications of Good News in Christ. His time in the “radio pulpit” also branched out to television with the series On Main Street in which he engaged experts, authors, and notables (including a former U.S. President) in candid conversation relating to the Gospel. It was an effort that Dr. Walter A. Maier had initially envisioned late in his career. In recent memory and up to the present, Dr. Meyer serves as president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Ken Klaus is a pastor you would want to visit your home. I will never forget an encounter in the North Carolina Lutheran Laymen’s Convention, where in a brief moment I asked who (in his mind) was blessed to be a spark among all Speakers of The Lutheran Hour. Without missing a beat, he congenially announced: “WAM Maier.” Dr. Klaus and wife Pam have been delightful, friendly people, with inspirational insights. His Daily Devotions are blessings (go to www.lhm.org). The impact of The Lutheran Hour on those close to me endures to the present. Linda Pauling in California is an avid researcher of the Jabs family and other

Dr. Albert E. Jabs has been a professor at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, and at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Through 30 trips around the globe he avidly pursued Gospel proclamation and what it means to live the Christian life. He is a lifelong supporter of LHM and the Int’l LLL in the quest of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. He completed his undergraduate work at Valparaiso University in Indiana and has an earned doctorate from the University of South Carolina.

‘PULLED’ by Good News

“Jesus prays for you even now. His precious gift of forgiveness and mercy comes from His unconditional love for you, a totally new start in life today….”

families. She has done extensive research and exhibits theological sensitivity, church leadership, and personal encouragement for my own interests to tell the family story. When that story is told, I am compelled to speak of faith in Christ. Additionally, Linda is an unswerving servant of our Lord, for researching the stories of families that ordinarily would be hidden in the dustbin of history. She, like many thousands of others, is an avid reader of the Klaus columns, so his impact as Emeritus Speaker still serves in spreading the Word of Jesus Christ. The recent May 8th Mother’s Day sermon of Dr. Gregory Seltz, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, are words to be remembered and treasured for a long, long time. When he told the listener to bless others, and again bless others instead of using the internet to divide, blister, batter, and bewilder, the Seltz message is like continuing mercies of Jesus in a world which is bruised, battered, and bewildered. Blessings can come through prayer. “To get prayer right you’ve got to get its origins right. Prayer doesn’t start with you. It starts with the Savior who loved you so much that He gave His life for you to save you from your sins and from this world’s chaos. Prayer begins in the heart of Jesus who pleads your case, earned your pardon, took your punishment on the cross, and sets you free from the power of sin and death through His resurrection from the dead….You know, being a Christian is not being a person who is better than everybody else. If you are listening today and you have

by Gerald Perschbacher

that view of believers, that’s just not who we are. We are forgiven sinners, just like you can be; people just as guilty before God as anyone else. In the hearts of believers are all the same struggles and temptations and failures that you may be feeling right now. The only difference, and it’s a big one, is that we have come to know and believe what God has done for people just like us. The miracle of being of Jesus’ Church, is that we gather to continually receive God’s grace and strive to be merciful to others when it’s not deserved, forgiving to others when it is not earned, and loving even to those who would wish us ill. Why? Because that’s how God in Christ loves us now and forever. I’ve got great news for you today. Jesus prayed for you. He prayed for me. And on The Lutheran Hour broadcast, heard by more than one million people every week, I want you to know personally that Jesus prays for you even now. His precious gift of forgiveness and mercy comes from His unconditional love for you, a totally new start in life today, and hope for what you face every day.” The Lutheran Hour has been a blessing through the years and was graced by Speakers who were (and are) deeply committed to Jesus Christ. The Gospel transmitted through The Lutheran Hour has had an enduring and very salutary influence on countless people. You probably are one of them. As Dr. Hoffmann would add, “What more is there to say but—Amen!” n

ndrew Melendez didn’t know what the Lord had in store for him when he attended Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois, in 1930. Had anyone told the Puerto Rican student he would be the Speaker on the Spanish Lutheran Hour from 1941 until his retirement in 1972, he would not have believed it. But God does unbelievable things through people who proclaim the Good News of grace through Christ. Fluent in English, German, and Spanish, Rev. Melendez made his mark on the world, including the growing Hispanic population of North America. His impact was so pronounced that he was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater. A second honorary degree came later. The accolades sprang forth due to the man’s prolific work for The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod’s budding Hispanic mission outreach in print and on television. One man went out of his way to tell Melendez a simple truth more than a decade after his last broadcast: “My wife and children and I traveled 300 miles by train, bus, and on foot, to see you. You are the The lively preaching style of Dr. Melendez man who helped me come still resonates in the memory of listeners. to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” That impact was multiplied many times, according to Dr. Martin Neeb, Jr., a guiding force behind This is the Life in the 1970s. “No one will actually be able to count the number of people you contacted during those years, but I am sure the figure runs into the hundreds of thousands and even millions due to the fact that you were voice of the Spanish Lutheran Hour for so many years.” Melendez edited and translated at least nine Christ-centered booklets offered on the air and widely distributed. “By the grace of God I am what I am. Without Him I can do nothing,” confessed Melendez, who passed to eternal glory in 1999. Only the Lord knows how that impact has blossomed in the descendants of families Melendez reached for Christ. n

“My wife and children and I traveled 300 miles by train, bus, and on foot, to see you. You are the man who helped me come to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior.”

Dr. Gerald Perschbacher serves as editor of The Lutheran Layman and manages the LHM Research Center Archives.

“By the grace of God I am what I am. Without Him I can do nothing.”

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Abuelo, the Clan of Memo’s narrator, counselor and preacher, on a break with a young school volunteer.

A ‘Small’ Way to Present the BIG Gospel

utheran Hour Ministries’ international outreach centers, particularly in Latin America and Asia, routinely use puppet drama to share the Gospel in ways that delight and enlighten children and those who care about them. Many people around the world have discovered the love of Jesus in the simple Bible stories and life lessons presented by LHM puppet troupes. It is a “small” way to present a BIG Gospel. Puppet theatre is a big part of LHM–Panama’s Project JOEL values education program for children and youth. The characters of the center’s troupe are known in schools, hospitals, and wherever else puppet Gospel outreach can have an impact. And over the years they have become far more than a collection of cloth figures

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

by Greg Koenig

pulled from a box. They have become a family with a life of its own—a clan. We have traced the legend of the Panama troupe to a time, some years ago, when a youth named Antonio Miranda began volunteering for the ministry center. Antonio, whose nickname is “Memo,” helped with the ministry’s puppet shows by loading the puppets into the outreach team’s vehicle and carrying them to wherever the stage was to be set up. Children began to associate him with the puppets, and as he performed his tasks, they would call out, “It’s the Clan of Memo!” The name stuck. “The puppets in the Clan of Memo help children learn in a playful way,” says CPTLN—Panama’s Project JOEL Coordinator Porfirio Franco. “They motiClan of Memo vate children to participate puppets are an important part of and get involved. Our drama the center’s min- topics include Christian values, family, racism, bullying, istry to children climate change, and preand families at venting violence.” Pediatric Hospital Most characters in the in Panama City. Clan of Memo have specific names—which correspond to recurring roles related to the themes. Performances typically include the following characters: • Cococho, a naughty boy • Chonta, Cococho’s sister, who is the

awareness, or conscience, of the group and is always giving advice • Abuelo (Grandpa), who serves as narrator, counselor and preacher • El Patito Juan (Juan the Duckling), who sings a Fourth-Commandment song about obedience to parents and God’s promise for those who show their parents honor. El Patito Juan is the ministry’s senior puppet—the first one to be made and put into service • La Gallina Turuleca (The Turuleca Hen), who represents acceptance and popularity. Children have fun singing the familiar song “La Gallina Turuleca” along with her. • El Lobo (The Wolf), who is sometimes a sheep-chasing villain and sometimes a Christian character that teaches obedience and respect • Cusito, a little toad who teaches about climate change The Clan of Memo also includes a chorus of animals—a flock of chickens and a herd of cows that Porfirio says are “messengers of life.” Not only do children participate by singing along with the puppets and interacting with them in other ways; many take an active part in putting the dramas on. “In schools we have teams—groups of children and youth—who have learned to handle the puppets and support us during presentations,” says Porfirio. Most importantly, the Clan of Memo shares the Gospel, both in Christian schools and in places where children don’t hear it regularly—public schools and

Cusito the Toad takes a selfie with Porfirio. Cococho, center, occasional character Tana, top left, and a team of volunteers squeeze into the background.

pediatric hospitals. “The topics we put on, the values highlighted in our plays, even the puppets’ songs, carry the Gospel’s message of hope for their souls,” says Porfirio. “Children and adults alike look forward to seeing the Clan of Memo!” Porfirio says. Want to learn more about LHM–Panama (also known as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones– Panama), Project JOEL, and the Clan of Memo? Visit transforminglife.wordpress.com. n Greg Koenig reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work globally.

Clan of Memo cast members, ministry volunteers and school volunteer team members join Project JOEL Coordinator Porfirio Franco, far right, in a post-performance group photo.

Want to learn how you can work alongside the Panama ministry team on an LHM International Volunteer Trip? Contact LHM’s Chris Myers at christine.myers@lhm.org.

ARGENTINA

Mission Outreach/Construction

CAMBODIA

Evangelism Training

GUATEMALA

VBS/Construction

INDONESIA

Church Construction

JAMAICA

Construction/VBS

LATVIA

Expansion of Church Facility

MALAWI

Construction/Community Outreach

MONGOLIA

Children’s Camp/VBS

NICARAGUA

RUSSIA

Children’s Camp

THAILAND

English Language Classes

UGANDA

Medical Camp/VBS

URUGUAY

English Conversation Classes/ Light Construction

English Conversation Classes

PANAMA

Bridge Construction

Community Outreach/Construction

VIETNAM

PLAN YOUR TRIP AT

Lutheran Hour Ministries

@LHMglobalmin

lhmint.wordpress.com

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

100 by Chad Fix

A Celebration Years in the Making

lmost a century ago, a group of Lutheran laymen banded together to support the Church in word and deed. Lutheran Hour Ministries grew out of this Spirit-fueled grassroots energy by discovering innovative ways of sharing the Gospel with people who needed to hear it, beginning with The Lutheran Hour being broadcast on the relatively new medium of radio. The 12 who started this organization probably never envisioned the lasting legacy of this ministry. Through the years, tens of thousands of men, women, and children have gotten involved to expand the reach of Lutheran Hour Ministries as it introduced new and innovative ways to bring the changeless Christ to a changing world. Our communication methods may have shifted, but the Gospel message has remained the same. At each milestone laypeople like you have had to boldly step out in faith. Times may have changed, but the power of the laity remains strong today as Lutheran Hour Ministries continues to move forward by adapting with the times to remain a leading force for providing the Gospel message to others. Not many organizations are still going strong at 100 years old. Since we are about to reach this historical milestone, it’s time to celebrate! Make plans now to be at Union Station in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, Oct. 21-23 for an exciting weekend that kicks off a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League / Lutheran Hour Ministries! While this centennial gathering honors the achievements of the past 100 years, it also looks to the future. It’s about kicking off a second century of proclaiming the Gospel by sharing the bold vision that will carry LHM forward to new generations.

Schedule of Events This power-packed weekend includes several activities to make this an event for the ages!

Friday Registration opens at 3 p.m.; Activities begin at 6 p.m. • Enjoy a Family Night Oktoberfest that includes German food, the Deutschmeister German Brass Band, and authentic German dancers, as well as a chance to catch up with old friends from past gatherings. • Watch an exclusive sneak preview of the new feature-length film Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World. Sponsored by Thrivent, and produced by an Emmy-winning team of Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein, this project will air nationally on PBS in 2017. Narrated by Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), the film is designed to lead the national conversation surrounding the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The project not only revisits the dramatic moments that shaped Martin Luther’s life and theology, it also explains the continuing impact of those events on the daily lives of both Lutherans and the broader culture.

Saturday Registration opens at 8 a.m.; Program begins at 9 a.m. • Visit with directors from LHM’s more than 30 ministry centers to learn what is happening around the world through the wide array of culturally relevant Gospel outreach activities taking place in each country. • Take a look at Gospel proclamation efforts through the years by visiting LHM’s History Museum. • Honor past lay leaders from the International Lutheran Laymen’s League for their contributions. • Hear from an inspiring group of speakers (see sidebar) who will give you tools and encourage-

ment to put your faith into action. • Enjoy a gala celebration featuring a gourmet meal, entertainment by renowned jazz artist Erin Bode, a testimonial from Hollywood television producer Gary Hall about the impact that LHM’s This is the Life television program had on his faith life, and a look at exciting future ministry opportunities from LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz.

Sunday Transportation begins at 7 a.m.; Breakfast served until 8:30 a.m.; Service begins at 9 a.m. • Attend a special sending service led by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz on the beautiful campus of Concordia Seminary. Shuttle service from Union Station (and back) will be provided. • Spend time with old friends (and new) during a fellowship breakfast at Concordia Seminary.

Register Today! Everything listed above is included in your registration for just $125 per person. Special hotel room rates on-site at the DoubleTree Union Station are available for just $119 a night by contacting the hotel directly. A program for youth (ages 12-17) will be offered for $25 per person and includes the Friday and Sunday activities listed above as well as special day-long youth events on Saturday.

For more details, or to register for the event, visit www.lhm.org/100years. Or Call the Response Center at 1-800-876-9880 Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

100th anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Luth 10

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Coming Soon:

Saturday Speakers Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz has served since 2011 as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour radio program, which airs on more than 1,600 stations across North America. He has helped LHM develop a bold vision for expanding the reach of The Lutheran Hour through live broadcasts and other twenty-first century media. Widely recognized today as a leader in cross-cultural and urban outreach, Rev. Seltz is in demand as a speaker on urban-context evangelism, entrepreneurial leadership development, and team ministry topics. Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus is Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour radio program after serving as Speaker from 2002 until his retirement in 2010. He writes and records a monthly sermon for The Lutheran Hour and writes and edits many of LHM’s daily devotions. He was previously a parish pastor for 28 years at congregations in Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, and South Dakota and has published many works, including two volumes of Stories from The Lutheran Hour - A Changeless Christ in a Changing World. Rev. Greg Finke is the founder and executive director of Dwelling 1:14 and author of the book, Joining Jesus on His Mission. Dwelling 1:14 is a non-profit ministry which trains congregational leaders to disciple their people to join Jesus on His mission in the places they already live, work, and go to school. He offers consulting and training experiences for congregations and their leaders in discipling, living missionally, and multiplying missional communities.

Rev. Michael Newman has been a pastor since 1987 and currently serves the Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a mission and ministry facilitator. He served as a parish pastor for more than 20 years in congregations in Texas, Minnesota, and the Chicago area. He has also been active in mission outreach, writing, music, and multi-media ministry. His latest books are Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church and The Life You Crave: It’s All About Grace.

Rev. Matt Popovits serves as pastor of Our Saviour New York (OSNY), a family of parishes in Manhattan and Queens, working together to serve New York City. He is also the host of The Spiritual Howcast on YouTube, which offers insightful yet simple answers to the spiritual questions of skeptical people, and has served as a staff writer for Homiletics Magazine, a worldwide resource to pastors and communicators.

Cindy Steinbeck owns and operates Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery, a seven-generation family business in Paso Robles, Calif., and serves as director of marketing, sales, and public relations. She is a retired director of Christian education in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Steinbeck has written several conversational Bible studies through Concordia Publishing House that reflect her passion for the vineyard and the vine, soil, and rocks through which she proclaims God’s Word and work.

eran Hour Ministries—October 21-23, 2016

TV Classics on DVD

by Paul Schreiber

Poignant storylines, moving dialogue, earlycareer actors who went on to fame in television and film—all this is what viewers will find in nine select episodes of This is the Life Classics scheduled for release on DVD this fall. As a way to maximize the spiritual content of each halfhour drama, a discussion guide is included, which makes, in effect, each program a standalone Bible study. First appearing under the title The Fisher Family, the program ran under that name from 1952-1956. Thereafter, it became This is the Life in 1956 and aired in syndication under that title through the 1980s. The series began as a presentation of Lutheran Television Productions by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and in 1967 began transitioning to the International Lutheran Laymen’s League. Never shirking from difficult or sensitive subject matter, This is the Life broached weighty issues for its day: divorce, juvenile delinquency, gambling, racism, anger, guilt, issues of faith, and the search for meaning in our lives, to name a few. Each episode on this DVD includes comments and backstory about the series from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, who also takes time to introduce program features like subject matter, dramatic situation, and the actors involved. At each episode’s close, he offers a wrap-up on how the episode’s real-life events portrayed certain Christ-centered principles or other Bible-based teachings, and how they are applicable in our own lives. Though the program has not been widely available for some time, it still has a following among generations, young and old. “The popularity of the program has continued over the years and it is still shown on several stations around the country,” said Jim Arand, associate director of The Lutheran Hour. “This collection of This is the Life Classics includes nine episodes featuring many notable actors. The original programs were shot on film. To get them ready for release on this DVD they were converted to a digital format. Lutheran Hour Ministries conceived of this as a product to help meet the demand of our current constituents and also give us a ‘pilot’ series that could gauge the level of see page 24 The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Why LHM Reaches Out to Refugee Children With Syria’s civil war in its sixth year, unrest is driving more Syrians and Iraqis from their homes. In response, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Lebanon center continues to address the many needs of these refugees. One area of concern among refugees across the region continues to be the health, education, and wellbeing of children. As reported in previous issues of The Lutheran Layman, LHM’s Middle East Lutheran Ministry (MELM) staff is keenly aware of this concern as the ministry responds with special care and sensitivity, providing clothing, shelter, medicine, and special educational events. The MELM staff also recognizes that this is a special and rare opportunity to share the faith with Christians and non-Christians. It is a present-day adaptation of the parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold” (Matthew 13:3-80). The opportunity actually to see faith take root and grow is rarer still. On a trip to deliver food packages to a remote encampment just a few miles from the Syrian border, MELM’s Katia Sahyouni met a young girl we will call Kinza.*Katia asked about Kinza’s family, then about her life in this rugged environment. “Do you go to school?” Katia asked. Yes, Kinza replied, she was able to attend school here. “Do they teach you about Jesus at school?” Katia ventured. “No,” Kinza said, “—but I do read about Jesus! I have a book that I read every day, and it tells me stories about Jesus!” “Wonderful, Kinza,” said Katia. “What is the name of your book?” “It’s called the Holy Bible,” said Kinza, and she added, “When I’m not reading it, I hide it so no one will ruin it.” “Kinza, do you love Jesus?” Katia asked. “Yes.” “Do you pray to Him?”

Katia gets to know Kinza and her friends.

“No.” “Kinza,” said Katia, “I want to tell you an important thing: Jesus loves you so much, and He wants you to be His child. When you pray to Him, He will listen. He is with us always. Will you pray to Him?” Katia could tell from the big smile on Kinza’s face that she was excited at the invitation to pray to Jesus. Katia promised that on her next visit she would bring Kinza more books that would help her understand Jesus and His love. Katia says, “We pray that Kinza will grow in faith and be that ‘good soil’ on which the seed of the Gospel falls and yields fruit a hundredfold.” “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38). You can learn more about the outreach of LHM’s Lebanon ministry center at lhmlebanon.wordpress.com. n *To protect her identity, we are not using Kinza’s real name. The Arabic name “Kinza” means “hidden treasure.” 12

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

by Greg Koenig

We the Church

DVD Perfect for 500th Anniversary Celebrations by Paul Schreiber

DA TE

New from Lutheran Hour Ministries is a FREE DVD video resource that explores the formation of Lutheranism in America. We the Church: The Priesthood of All Believers features three video segments which chronicle the origins, growth, and mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Released in time for 2017 to celebrate the coming 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 100th anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries, We the Church hosted by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, this DVD is available to everyone free of charge from LHM. Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. Beginning with the trans-Atlantic voyage of some 700 German Lutherans in 1839 and extending until today, the development of what would become the LCMS is a remarkable story told in the ternet links to dig deeper into the subject. The videos and the discussion guide words of church workers, pastors, academics, and is hosted by Rev. Dr. Gregory can be downloaded for FREE from Lutheran Hour Ministries at www.lhm.org/ Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. As with any venture so grand and darClick to inse rt yourcirstudies. help churches promote this DVD as part of its celebration of the ing, these westward-bound Lutheran immigrants worked through tough class info rmation To here, such as time, loca of the Reformation, special promotional materials are also cumstances and philosophical differences to establish themselves in their New tion,500th and daanniversary te available from the website such as bulletin inserts, customizable posters, and World context. Determined, they pressed on, intent on building a Christ-cenPowerPoint slides. n tered pioneer community where they could practice their faith in keeping with The Lutheran Confessions as rendered in the Book of Concord. Eventually, these Lutherans were the founders of a mainline church body that today has some 6,000 churches within its fold and has altar and pulpit relationships with other church bodies internationally. A pervasive attitude of reaching the lost for Christ was crucial to the early growth and success of the LCMS, according to Rev. Mike Newman, especially during the half century between 1845 and 1895 when some four million Germans immigrated to the U.S., many of which were not ChrisChristians arriving in America were tians. “Many had strayed far The weekend festivities will: in need of church homes. from the faith, or had no faith • Honor LHM’s rich history of partnering with the laity to share the Gospel; at all. And so, the order of the day for the Missouri Synod during that time was • Feature dynamic presentations from outreach experts; outreach, bringing the Gospel to people in need,” he said. • Bring the ministry’s global reach to life through the eyes of LHM’s Kurt Buchholz, president and CEO of LHM, summed it up this way when reinternational ministry center directors; sponding to what it is LCMS churches can do to fulfill their God-given mission • Provide engaging youth activities; and of reaching others with the Gospel message: “I don’t think the answer to our problems and issues is in church structure, programs, or funding initiatives. I • Offer plenty of opportunities for fellowship and fun! think the answer is where it always has been, and that’s coming back to our OCTOBER 21–23, 2016 at ST. LOUIS UNION STATION roots: to Jesus Christ, to the message of salvation. He has called each and every $125 per person* ($25 youth) one of us together to share the Gospel message in our own lives, in our own *lodging not included work, in our own families.” We the Church: The Priesthood of All Believers features three videos: a short version (4:15), a longer version (17:45), and a history of the LCMS (25:17). A disRegister Today! LHM.ORG/100YEARS cussion guide includes questions based on the videos and provides dozens of In-

Join us in St. Louis to Celebrate a Century of Gospel Proclamation!

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Korean Drama

Reaches

‘Out ’ and ‘In’ by Greg Koenig

Climactic scene of Heaven, Wind, Star…Crane: Yun’s soul experiences healing, peace, and a swirl of blessings.

Christ-based Korean drama is reaching out with the Good News while reaching inside the hearts of people touched by the experience. “After I met Yun Dong-ju, the pain and agony in my life turned into gratitude,” recalls actress Hwang Geum-sil. “I came to a place in my life where I could pray to God again.” Who is Hwang Geum-sil? And who is Yun Dong-ju, who had such an impact on Hwang’s life? Yun Dong-ju is the central character in Heaven, Wind, Star ... Crane—a drama penned by university professor and playwright Dr. Lee Ban—who also serves as Chairman of the Korea Lutheran Hour (KLH). Dr. Lee has a gift for telling stories of Korean people from a deeply spiritual perspective; he has contributed several plays that KLH has used to share the Gospel. Yun is also a real person from Korean history. A popular young poet during the Japanese Colonial Period in Korea, he was arrested in July 1943 as a “thought criminal” who had allegedly taken part in anti-Japanese activities. As Dr. Lee Ban’s play opens, it is spring 1945, and Yun is dying in prison. In a journey of the mind, Yun becomes outraged and embittered as he witnesses how politicians and swindlers have brought pain to the lives of people he knows. An angel appears and leads him on a different journey—one that reminds him of the ideals of humility and sacrifice, which he learned growing up as a follower of Jesus. The drama’s theme shifts to one of reconciliation and healing, and to give it full voice, dramatist Lee weaves in actual poetry by Yun Dong-ju, as well as the Japanese legend of the Thousand Paper Cranes, or Cranes of Peace. Yun dies in the assurance that what leads to reconciliation is sacrifice—a truth he learned through his relationship with Christ. Last winter, Heaven, Wind, Star... Crane was performed by 30 professionals who volunteered their time and talents for the KLH presentation. More than 500 people attended the performances, and 330 were moved to respond and ask to learn more about Korea Lutheran Hour. But no one was moved more than Hwang Geum-sil. In her college years, Hwang had been a student of Dr. Lee Ban and a faithful Christian. After college, she enjoyed several years of success as a theatre actress but drifted from the church. As she 14

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

grew older, Hwang received fewer roles; her income suffered; she experienced disappointments in several relationships; and, she admits, her life became empty and lonely. God had plans for Hwang Geum-sil. She happened to stop in for a visit with Dr. Lee Ban, and her former professor had an idea. Why not audition for the part of Yun Dong-ju’s mother? It was one of the principal roles in this drama he was working on with Korea Lutheran Hour. She agreed and took on the role. “At first I felt a lot of stress working on this performance,” Hwang says. “But by the end, I was experiencing the same kind of thrill that I had had when I acted in a play for the first time. And I rediscovered what a precious talent I had been given.” But something else also awakened in Hwang: her love for Jesus. After five performances, she came to Dr. Lee in tears and confessed a desire to dedicate all of her talent to God. On Christmas, for the first time in 30 years, Hwang returned to church. In 2016, the Korea Lutheran Hour is working with Dr. Lee Ban again—this time on a play titled Counterpoint, which focuses on Crown Prince Sohyeon, who introduced Christianity in Korea. Pray for the Spirit to move again through the drama of KLH Chairman Dr. Lee Ban! n

Mentor and student. Hwang Geum-sil sits beside her mentor, playwright Dr. Lee Ban, (top row, in cap), as they pose for a cast photo.

ON THE MOVE

by Kurt Buchholz President & CEO Lutheran Hour Ministries

New Lenses How do we react to people with drastically opposing behavAsking the question,“How iors or views from our own? Try cleaning your lenses first. might I be wrong here?” I was first struck by this concept of looking through new lenses in the mid-1990s when our family was serving as missionaries overseas. People often asked, “Why do people Finally, we must also understand our own sinful drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road?” Or, “Do “A new commandment nature. By turning the first two questions on ourselves, they really eat that (meaning that eating such I give to you, that you we see ourselves as God sees us in the current situation. things is wrong)?” Or, “Why don’t they do it We ask ourselves honestly why we are reacting, espouslove one another: just ing, behaving the way we are. As sinful people we all the way we do (meaning the right way) in our country?” as I have loved you, have to accept that we may be entirely or partially wrong More recently, I have encountered this in our you also are to love in our stance and in our behavior. nation’s political conversation where those with Ultimately, there are times to disagree, times to take one another. By this all opposing views are deemed evil or somehow a stand, times to fight for what is right, times to clearly people will know that malicious in intent. Further, this type of labeling state the Word of God as it relates to issues and circumyou are My disciples, if stances. When we take a moment to step back and pray has weakened our church bodies as leaders and members emulate the secular political discusyou have love for one through these questions, we often engage the situasions rather than taking our cues from the Word another” (John 13:34-35) tion in a much more God-pleasing and impactful way. of God. I will say right here and now that I do not Opening doors for the Gospel rather than shutting them hold myself immune from these sins related to through our sinful actions and reactions. n my own behavior and therefore I am as guilty as anyone. My goal in this article is not to bash those of us who find ourselves behaving in this sinful, judging way, but rather to offer a simple tool, adapted from the training of missionaries, to help us see our interactions, impressions, and judgments through different lenses. I offer up three:

Seeing the world through the eyes of Christ

1 2

We have been called and sent to seek to share the Gospel with all, yes all. It is not our role, or even within our power, to make them believe. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. How might our approach, interactions, and judgmental behaviors change in the context of this truth? This is not just somebody who may be wrong, offensive, or misleading others—this is somebody who desperately needs to hear the message of salvation, period.

Finding the answer to why they might be doing, believing, saying what they are

We may never be able to agree with someone’s point of view. In many cases we might have to speak in opposition to it, but we can seek to understand the motivation behind what they are espousing. More often than not, when we ask the question why, we see a person who is hurting, scared, guilt-ridden, lost, or unloved. We may also be surprised to see someone who is trying to care for others, right a wrong, avoid the hurting or unjust punishment of others, and generally make life better, happier, more secure or peaceful. Their actions may not be what we consider God pleasing, but when you consider the answer to the question why, in most cases, you will react to them differently and much more appropriately for the sake of the Gospel.

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The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Engaging, Complementary Tool for Adult Instructional Classes UP DA TE

by Paul Schreiber “We live in a time when religion can be a touchy, private affair or, for others, even a taboo subject,” said Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, in the introductory video to GodConnects. Based on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, this 12-video series examines the essential teachings and facts of the Christian faith. “While practically every culture and the vast majority of people acknowledge that there is a God. On our own how could we ever know Him or understand who He is? The bottom line: we can’t. We could not connect to God, but the good news is that God connects with us,” Seltz added. And that is the purpose of GodConnects: teaching people how God through Christ, through His Spirit, His Sacraments, His church on earth, and the shared faith of believers—reaches out to others, bringing them the Good News that is available to all. As a church resource, GodConnects is ideal for new-member classes, in adult Bible study groups, as a complement to confirmation instruction, in youth group gatherings, or as a pass-along tool for use by church members and visiting guests. Highlighting how GodConnects can be a useful ministry tool for congregations, we spoke with Rev. Jonathan Haseley who, with Senior Pastor Rev. Kenneth Spitler, shepherds St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and School, a member of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) in Sanborn, New York. Having used GodConnects in new membership classes, Haseley appreciates how the series “serves as a great overview of what Christians believe. It covers Law, Gospel, faith, justification, the Trinity, end times, etc.” Haseley added, “I used it for a new member course. We met once a week at the couple’s home. We would have a brief intro to the subject for the night and then watch the DVD segment. I then would use a combination of the Small Catechism, the GodConnects study guide, and the Bible to dive deeper.”

Recently, Rev. Haseley incorporated GodConnects into some ministry and outreach he was doing with a couple who identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses. “GodConnects was a good ‘Christianity 101’ for them. The couple grew up as nominal Roman Catholics and then became involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. During our time together, it was a time of ‘unlearning’ Jehovah’s Witness’ doctrine and Scripture-twisting as much as it was a time of learning orthodox Christian belief. We really had good discussions about the Trinity, the identity of Jesus Christ, and grace. “When looking at the sessions on the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— we were able to look at how Christian belief differs from the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ understanding and theology. The Sacraments were a good topic we discussed as well, especially as these are, means of grace (God coming to us) rather than acts LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES of righteousness (us coming to God).” To this Haseley added, “The short, compact video segments in conjunction with the discussion guide helped us springboard into topics, ideas, and questions that were not specifically laid out in any curriculum. It helped the couple in my new member course stay engaged.” With all the GodConnects materials online (12 videos plus introduction, a pastor’s four-week prep guide and checklists, discussion guides, PowerPoint files, and more) it makes it a portable and easy-to-use/share resource. Mark Frith, training manager at LHM, put it this way: “A new congregation can embed the GodConnects link on its webpage, or parts of it, and send acquaintances to go and explore. One pastor actually instructed an adult who lived two hours away. The participant was able to work through all the content from the GodConnects website; then each week they would conduct telephone teaching times, where the pastor was able to answer questions and clarify points raised in the conversation. Another pastor has equipped a number of his parishioners with this resource and encouraged his members to invite their neighbors to their houses to work through the videos and the discussion guides. Pastors have found the short video segments boost their teaching platform, and the searchable online links give them a chance to recommend further reading or an interesting, homework assignment. The surplus of additional study and reading materials available in each segment is a treasure trove of resources for helping Christians to mature in their vocations.” Using the GodConnects DVD makes sharing this material convenient. Ministry Resource Manager Bruce Sutherland said, “A retired pastor in Florida met a student at the University of Central Florida

For more information on GodConnects, visit www.lhm.org/godconnects, where you can watch videos like “Nature of God,” “Baptism,” “God’s Law,” “Communion,” You can explore complementary resources and a Spanish version of GodConnects there as well. 16

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

New Booklet from LHM

Dealing with Breast Cancer by Paul Schreiber There is perhaps no cancer that preoccupies the minds of adult women more than breast cancer. This booklet Hope and Healing: Surviving Breast Cancer by Dr. Foluso Bisi Ademuyiwa, a medical oncologist who specializes in the disease, offers unique insight and a professional perspective won from years of treating women who have battled all stages of this cancer. Beginning with the painful news of a breast cancer diagnosis, women may find themselves overwhelmed with fear at not knowing and what and stage their cancer is and the uncertainty of what to do next. As a woman, Ademuyiwa highlights the roller-coaster emotions that attend such devasSurviving Cancer it Surviving Breast Cancer tating news and shares how, even in this situation, we are toBreast remember Of all the cancers out there, breast cancer is particularly was God who formed us, and it is He who will take care of us. feared. While women naturally recoil at this diagnosis, the is this form of cancer is often highly treatable. With While the question “Why me?” may predominate atruth women’s mind followearly detection and a proactive doctor-patient strategy for and follow-up, favorable outcomes for those with this ing diagnosis, the truth is nearly 200,000 women arecare diagnosed within oncology breast disease are improving steadily. Advances have much to lengthen people’s lives and in many cases cancer each year. This means there are many womendone who are already expeeradicate the cancer altogether. That being said, battling cancer is no small challenge and doing so often requires riencing a similar life situation. Ademuyiwa says a support group can beformsbensurgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other of treatment. Combating it is an all-in effort best waged by eficial in helping cancer patients understand how others may see them leaning on God, staying now focused on your care and, ideally, engaging with supportive family and friends. as a cancer patient and how they—as a cancer patient—can better relate to In all of this, knowing that God is there with you in your cancer, especially in your cancer, is the single most their friends and family. A support group also provides ample opportunity important take-away from this disease. Here Jesus puts the matter into perspective, “Are not two sparrows sold for feedback and interaction where issues can be discussed and worked out for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head in a forum of like-minded people facing similar trying are allcircumstances. numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). This booklet provides valuable information on what to expect from each of the four stages of breast cancer. From radiation and chemotherapy to extensive medications and possibly surgery, each stage has its own special characteristics and treatment regimen. For women660with IV breast Mason Ridgestage Center Dr. • St. Louis, MO 63141-8557 1-800-876-9880 • www.lhm.org cancer, or cancer that has spread to another area of the body, additional treatments and clinical trials often are available. Ademuyiwa recommends these women enroll in these whenever possible. “It is patient involvement in clinical trials that ultimately helps researchers and physicians develop more precise ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and understand cancers.” Ademuyiwa adds that early detection and a proactive doctor-patient strategy for care and follow-up may result in favorable outcomes and steady improvement—which is welcome news. Still, people are mortal. Life one day will end, regardless of malady. So it’s important to remember that God is there for us—in our fears, in our questions, even in our cancer. Ademuyiwa said, “No matter what the ultimate outcome of your breast cancer is, God is still good. Healing comes in many different forms: physical, emotional and spiritual.” To find out more about this resource and the many other Project Connect topical booklets LHM has available, go to lhm. org/projectconnect/, where you Consider a Charitable Trust. can purchase this volume or If you’re unsure how to manage assets like real estate or other download it as a FREE PDF docproperty, you can use these assets and many others to fund ument. Many booklets are availa charitable trust. The trust can provide income to one or able as MP3 audio files, and a more loved ones for a period of time, based on your choices.* number of them are translated When the trust ends, the remainder goes to benefit Gospel ministry through Lutheran Hour Ministries. into Spanish as well. Your support of LHM is To learn more about this great way to support the people important for the ongoing and causes you love, contact Lutheran Hour Ministries mission of Bringing Christ to at 1-877-333-1963 or lhm-gift@lhm.org. the Nations—and the Nations to *Certain restrictions apply the Church. n

Hope Healing

at a restaurant and after a spiritual conversation the pastor gave GodConnects to the student. They then agreed to meet weekly to discuss each segment. That young man is now sharing GodConnects with his friends on campus.” Whether it’s campus ministry, neighborhood outreach, or community involvement, GodConnects can be used to supplement pastoral instruction and the dialogue church members establish with those they are trying to reach. Sutherland sees it this way: “GodConnects really becomes an outreach tool when the entire congregation, and I mean everyone, seeks to partner with God and each other. Everyone prays asking God to soften and prepare the hearts of people in the community. Everyone considers how to encourage and invite someone they love to join in this class. And finally, people gather together in a place where it’s safe for the unchurched and de-churched to explore who God is and how He works to transform lives for time and eternity. In this way we experience the priesthood of all believers firsthand.” It’s this sort of congregational involvement in the life of its members and those who are new to the fold that sets the stage for God transforming a person’s interest in what the Bible has to say into a faith that clings to the hope of salvation in Christ Jesus. And as for the New York State couple who were formerly involved in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Haseley added, “They began coming to church every Sunday. They continue to be regular attendees and are involved with our senior pastor’s Sunday morning Bible study.” n

“Why the Bible?” and “Who Is Jesus Christ?”

Hope Healing

6BE165

PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THOSE YOU LOVE.

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

2016 Election Results are Announced More than 8,200 contributing members of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries voted in the recent election to fill open spots on the organization’s Board of Directors. The elected candidates will be installed at the July Board of Directors meeting. Phillip Johnson of Maplewood, Minnesota, was elected to a two-year term as chairman, after serving for the past three years as vice chairman. With Johnson’s election to chairman, Gene Partlow of Williamsburg, Virgina, was appointed by the Board to serve as vice chairman to fill the remaining year on Johnson’s term as vice chairman. The following individuals were elected to three-year terms on the Board as Directors: Londa Borer-Skov of Sacramento, California (second term); Michael “Mick” Onnen of Davenport, Nebraska (first term); Paul Pettit of Lincoln, Nebraska (second term); and William “Bill” Snow of Watertown, South Dakota (second term).

In addition to voting for open positions on the Board, members also passed the following three Bylaws changes that appeared on the ballot: • Removing references to the transitional terms of office for Board members from the Bylaws since they no longer apply. • Creating a voting registration process each year so that Missouri’s 10% quorum for elections only applies to those members who have registered to vote. • Updating the title of LHM’s chief staff member in the Bylaws and then giving the Board the ability within policy to change this title in the future. Details will be shared in coming months on how LHM contributing members can register to vote in future elections. Thanks to everyone who voted in 2016! n

Dunklau:

A Lifetime of Giving Longtime business executive and philanthropist Rupert Dunklau, 88, died at his home in Fremont, Nebraska, Feb. 3. Dunklau was generous throughout his life to the Lutheran Church and many of its ministries, including a longstanding relationship with Lutheran Hour Ministries. He was involved with the establishment of The Lutheran Hour Endowment Fund, started as a retirement gift for Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, and then served as one of the original trustees for The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation and as a member of LHM’s National Executive Council. Raised on a farm near Arlington, Nebraska, Dunklau moved to Fremont after graduating from the University of Nebraska to work at Valmont Industries as a bookkeeper. He worked his way up at Valmont and was one of the leaders who took the company public in 1968 before retiring as executive vice president in 1973. His years at the company, he said, gave him the funds to help others. “That’s part of my religious beliefs,” he told the Fremont Tribune in a 2010 interview. “I have been a very active member of the Lutheran Church and always had strong feelings of doing things that are good for mankind. Because I was able to achieve financial success, I was able to do a lot of that.” Rupert and his wife established the Rupert and

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

by Chad Fix

Ruth Dunklau Foundation in 1968 to provide a systematic method of gifting to God’s people a portion of the blessings God had given them. The Foundation glorifies God and serves His gracious will, by providing financial resources for the varied ministries related to the Lutheran tradition, especially within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Dunklau received Lutheran Family Services’ Faith in Action Award in 2001 and, in 2004, the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) presented him the International Spirit of Giving Award in recognition of his generous contribution of service, time, and support that inspires others to greater commitment and involvement. In addition to serving on the board of directors for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Valparaiso University, Concordia Publishing House, the LCMS Foundation, the Wheat Ridge Foundation, Lutheran Health Services Foundation, and Lutheran Family Services, Dunklau was deeply committed to service in Fremont. He was chairman of Fremont Health’s board of trustees for 24 years, on the board of directors of Fremont National Bank for 31 years, and a longtime trustee for Midland University. His financial support of Midland University is reflected on the Rupert and Ruth Dunklau Center for Journalism and the Dunklau School of Business. n

‘Tournament of Roses’ Float will Promote Anniversaries “The 2017 Lutheran Hour Ministries float titled Celebrate Jesus (in the widely televised Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, January 2) commemorates and celebrates our deep rooted Christian and Lutheran legacies,” reports Lou Marting, active supporter and communicator in southern California. “The new float will portray Christ Jesus as the Founder and Perfector of our faith.” The float will recall a significant person: Dr. Martin Luther who took a major step of faith in the Reformation 500 years ago. The float will carry living examples of Gospel proclaimers in the appearances of former Speaker Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus Dr. Ken Klaus, and Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, current Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. The float will salute the 100th anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, which led the way in launching The Lutheran Hour in 1930. Joining them will be LWML President Patti Ross, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the LWML. n

RADIO has Enduring Power to REACH THE WORLD by Greg Koenig

Madagascar Radio

Sri Lanka Radio

Malawi Radio

In today’s digital age, when news and information are available everywhere the Internet reaches—computers, media players, tablets, e-readers, smartphones and so on—it’s tempting to wonder whether twentieth-century media such as radio might soon be outmoded and just fade away—which would have a profound impact on the way Lutheran Hour Ministries does its work. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), that is not something that will happen anytime soon. Earlier this year, UNESCO held the fifth annual observance of World Radio Day, which it had established in 2012. The state of radio, according to the UN organization, is this: “Radio still remains the medium that reaches the widest audience worldwide, in the quickest possible time.” UNESCO estimates that at least five billion of the world’s 7.4 billion people receive broadcasts from the roughly 44,000 stations currently in operation. Approximately 75 percent of households in developing countries have access to radio—which ensures, among other things, that it will continue to be an indispensable component of those countries’ disaster and emergency information systems. In fact, some current technology actually supports the use of radio. Around the world, many mobile-device manufacturers are offering products with built-in radio chips. According to international news giant Al Jazeera, a third of the people in countries such as Zambia listen to radio broadcasts every week on their mobile phones. What is Lutheran Hour Ministries’ response to all this? Full speed ahead! LHM is establishing and enhancing relationships with media organizations in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Central and Southeast Asia to learn how to use the airwaves to reach more people than ever with the Word of God. LHM’s international outreach centers are airing programming in places like Sri Lanka, where political changes are presenting new broadcast opportunities. And since radio is in many places a community-based medium, LHM is seizing opportunities to broadcast programming in local dialects. Want to learn more about LHM’s dynamic presence across the globe through radio? Browse our ministry centers’ blogs at www.lhm.org/intlportal/blogs.asp. n

Thailand Radio

Russia Radio

North America Radio Also remember: By the grace of God, your support of LHM is Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

work day

Men’s NetWork WORK DAY Sets a Higher Mark

by Paul Schreiber

nthusiasm for this year’s fourth annual Men’s NetWork nationwide WORK DAY event was higher than ever. On April 30, men’s groups across the continent headed into their neighborhoods and communities, finding helpful jobs to do and then setting their hands to the task. More than 50 mens groups were in action, resulting in nearly 900 volunteer participants. The variety of jobs tackled expanded over previous years. It’s evident that groups took the challenge to be more intentional about getting into their communities to do their work and off their church campuses. We applaud their efforts to do so as that really made a difference on the outreach meter, especially when those helped might not ordinarily be candidates to receive assistance.

Among the many jobs tackled was a Habitat for Humanity build and repairs to a shut-in’s home by the men of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Greensboro, North Carolina; clean up and repair work to a free clinic for women by Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; yard work and repairs at a crisis pregnancy center by First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin; yard work and repairs at a domestic violence shelter by Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hermiston, Oregon; landscaping and clean-up at the Fort Lupton City Museum by Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado; and walking path maintenance at Oak Ridge Marsh Nature Park in Lake Zurich, Illinois, by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.

Projects were varied, and many of the beneficiaries were far beyond the confines of church property. That’s not to say there wasn’t much good work done for those affiliated with the church, but this year’s efforts took on a decidedly more outreach-oriented thrust, with much good work done as a result. As is often the case when help is rendered, those giving it are among the ones who benefit the most. This comment from Rodney Smith of the “Serving Jesus, Living in Community” men’s group at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia, pretty much sums it up: “We have been blessed to participate in every WORK DAY since its inception in 2013. It has been a positive team-building exercise for the men of our congregation through working together in service to others.” n

To check out pictures and comments from men’s groups involved in this year’s Men’s NetWork WORK DAY, see the posts on the Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Facebook page. 20

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Dave Dawson and Delle Jackson

So you get to hear the thoughts and passion of the LHM “family” every day? Delle: Yes, there are so many people out there who love this ministry and are proud to be part of our mission to share the Gospel with everyone we can.

Dave, you also manage the group that creates video Bible studies such as Martin, We the Church, Mormons, The Challenge of Islam, and many others. Dave: That’s right. It’s really gratifying to know that the resources we create are being used to help people grow in their faith and be introduced to the Bible and Christianity.

I’m guessing you both have thought about the impact in the world through the work that you are doing. What do you hope to see God do through your service? Delle: I trust that the Lord is blessing my efforts and those of my co-workers as we reconnect donors to LHM to let them know that their financial support can make an impact as we share the message of hope to a fallen world. Dave: In today’s culture we have a tough road ahead of us, and that highlights the importance of the work we do at LHM. Through Baptism we are all disciples and called to witness to others. How many people can we reach? You’ll have to check with the Holy Spirit!

Realizing Your Powerful Achievements through LHM This fall, Lutheran Hour Ministries will begin a year of celebration to commemorate the fact that this ministry has been doing the Lord’s work for 100 years. This legacy of Gospel outreach is, first and foremost, a powerful testimony to God’s blessing and calling for Lutheran Hour Ministries. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the numerous men and women who have worked for Lutheran Hour Ministries. We interviewed Dave Dawson and Delle Jackson to explore why they serve with Lutheran Hour Ministries and gladly support the Christ-centered work.

You both have been with Lutheran Hour Ministries for some time. Dave: I started here in June 2006, so I have just reached my tenth anniversary. Delle: I started working for Lutheran Hour Ministries 24 years ago in January 1992, although at that point it was generally called the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.

The emphasis was placed on the term Lutheran Hour Ministries later that year, right? Delle: Yes. It was interesting to be here during that time and hear the response from our members. People really embraced that as part of our mission to share the Gospel far and wide with media ministries such as The Lutheran Hour and more.

Could you each give us a brief description of what you do? Dave: I work with a great group of people who have a heart and passion for outreach. We develop Bible studies and other resources for congregations to use with their members and to become more outreach-minded.

Why do you think God placed you on that “tough road” with Lutheran Hour Ministries? Dave: THAT is the million-dollar question! Until I came to LHM, I worked in the secular world. While I grew up attending a Lutheran school and church, I never imagined working here. Obviously, God had other plans, and it took a smack upside the head for me to realize that. In looking back, I can see the path and how it led me here, which I am very, very grateful for. (see page 24)

Grief overwhelms and debilitates, but it can be managed. When it appears intractable, the power of God is available— through His Word, His Sacraments, and His Church—to lift the weight of sorrow and help us move forward.

Order 20 Booklets, and GET 5 FREE! www.lhm.org/grief USE CODE: LMGRIEF16 VISIT:

Price U.S. $10.00, plus $4.95 S&H. Offer valid in U.S. only, while supplies last. Ends 7/31/16.

Delle: My job is on the phone. I thank people for their gifts, listen to donors’ concerns, answer donors’ questions, take prayer requests, and build relationships by encouraging support of the mission and ministries of LHM. The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

The Waiting Game is Over

Following

GOD’S Call– With You!

People await the Good News— will they be reached in Time?

TE DA P U

by Brad Neathery In just a short time more than 300 supporters have the hope that so many are missing. given over $75,000 to support new Lutheran Hour Christians realize that hope is found in Christ Ministries efforts in key sites in the world, including alone. Supporters of Lutheran Hour Ministries beareas stressed by turmoil. Even more supporters are lieve that it is crucial to proclaim that Gospel hope remembering those troubled spots in their prayers. to souls in need. Why? In areas where people faces persecution Currently, LHM is pursuing the translation of and opposition due to clashes of cultures and ide- Bible Correspondence Courses into different lanologies, Christ’s Great Commission calls us to share guages, is working to air animated specials on forthe Gospel despite the eign TV channels, and dangers and challenges. God can work through LHM to create a aims to broadcast origWhere Christianity inal programming on Gospel movement—and your prayerful is not dominant, many radio stations in key financial support is important! Please people oppose the Goslocations. pel. Yet, they need it Despite this progpartner with LHM in this critical desperately. They lack ress, LHM expects obexpansion. To give, go online or use the understanding to stacles: resistance and appreciate its transforintimidation from forcthe envelope enclosed in this issue. mational authority for es that do not want to their lives. This conviction has led Lutheran Hour see Christianity grow. But our God is not intimidatMinistries to dramatically expand ministry efforts. ed and LHM is not deterred. By God’s grace, LHM has and will continue to As we faithfully expand ministry efforts, members enter fresh fields around the world that are in need of the Lutheran Hour Ministries family have come of the Gospel. In some cases, non-Christians are in alongside with their prayers and support. How can a small minority. Even in lands where the majority you get involved? of citizens are not followers of Christ, as many as 85 • Remember the staff and international mission percent of those non-believers are not practicing of LHM in your daily prayers. other religions common to their country. This cre• Share with others that LHM is reaching out to ates a unique opening to reach millions of souls in this critical hour with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The lost souls in troubled lands. turmoil and unrest that has embroiled entire regions • Make a financial commitment to support this has caused people to question where they can find work. n Brad Neathery works with philanthropic supporters of Lutheran Hour Ministries. 22

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Thousands of Americans with Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) no longer need to wait. Many had become accustomed to the yearly waiting game to see if Congress would again pass legislation allowing them to roll over part or all of their annual IRA distribution to charity. Giving in this manner allows donors to support important causes and avoid the taxes usually levied on IRA distributions, creating a zero tax event. This year Congress passed legislation that makes the IRA Charitable Rollover permanent. Now many individuals can make qualified charitable rollovers from their IRAs with zero tax impact. How can this make a difference for you? Donors with IRA accounts can rollover up to $100,000 per year (per individual) directly to charity and impact ministry work without paying tax on the income. Even better, this gift counts toward their annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA. Some restrictions do apply: • You must be 70½ by the date of the gift to be eligible for the IRA gift opportunity. • Most gifts are tax-free. Please remember to contact your tax advisor for such confirmation. • The rules apply only to outright lifetime transfers from IRA owners and are not applicable to transfers after the owner’s death. • If there is more than 10 years’ difference between you and your spouse, different rules apply. The IRA rollover is a great option for donors who do not need the income from their IRA distribution in the next year. Yet for many Americans, an IRA is one of their main sources of income. That means their IRA is used for all causes from buying groceries to paying the mortgage. These donors may not be able to consider giving through an IRA rollover, but they could consider giving their IRA to charity in their will. Depending on your estate, it may be better to give tax-heavy retirement accounts, like IRAs, to charity and leave other assets like life insurance to your family. The planned giving staff at Lutheran Hour Ministries would love to discuss these and other options with you as you plan your estate. n If we can be of service to you, please contact us at 1-877-333-1963 or lhm-gift@lhm.org.

Perfect for 500th Anniversary Celebrations:

A Man Named Martin—Part Two: The Moment Coming this July is A Man Named Martin—Part Two: The Moment, the follow-up Bible study to A Man Named Martin—Part One: The Man. This three-part Bible study sheds much-needed light on key teachings of the late Medieval Church as accumulated over some 15 centuries, until Martin Luther’s day. During those years the late Medieval Church developed a doctrine and practice that drifted widely from teachings as found in the Old and New Testaments. How this was done was a lengthy process. Distilling its position in part from ideas put forth by religious thinkers like Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, and Thomas Aquinas; allowing faulty translation choices from the Greek into the Latin Bible; and pulling content from extra-Biblical writings like the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, the late Medieval Church solidified its distinct theology over time, reinforcing its dogma through preaching and habit. Over the centuries the Catholic Church’s theological synthesis was set into stone as it became codified by internal church councils and papal rulings. The doctrines of the late Medieval Church that Luther and others questioned in regard to their Biblical nature were numerous. These included prayers for the dead, purgatory, penance, infused grace, transubstantiation, celibacy, devotion to Mary and the rosary, the necessity of confession to a priest to obtain forgiveness, the treasury of merits of Christ, the mass as a bloodless sacrifice, Mary and the saints, masses for the dead, the seven sacraments, the institution of the Papacy, and the one that many people tie intrinsically to the Reformation: the sale of indulgences. It was these teachings and practices by the church in Rome that Luther resisted, questioning their validity and rejecting their inclusion as authoritative doctrine and teaching for Christ’s church on earth. Over time the late Medieval Church had grown to become an enormous corporate enterprise, needing money to maintain its power, prestige, land, and building programs. The sale of indulgences is prob-

ably the most egregious thing people think about when they consider its corrupt practices. LHM’s Senior Producer Jim Likens put it this way: “I think most people think the Reformation was just about indulgences. On the surface it might have appeared that way, but it was much more than that. I hope viewers of this program come to understand the great gift God gave to the world through Martin Luther who rediscovered the true Gospel and set it free. The greatest response would be for Christians, especially Lutherans, to discover for themselves the whole counsel of the Word of God.” Reformers like John Wycliffe, John Hus, and others, of course, paved the way for Martin Luther, as they created an early momentum that galvanized the Reformation. These individuals saw how many of the Catholic Church’s accrued teachings, traditions, and ways of interpreting Scripture were at complete odds with the teaching of Christ and the early church. These men, many of whom were affiliated with the late Medieval Church from their youth, sought a clear, unembellished understanding of Christ’s true and final work on the cross as the only sacrifice necessary for our salvation—to which nothing can be added or altered. It was Luther’s contention that over the centuries the late Medieval Church had veered perilously away from the New Testament teachings of Christ and the apostles and become something other than a Christ-centered fellowship of believers, going forth on the Savior’s Great Commission as given in the final chapter of Matthew. Luther’s intent, however, was not to insult the late Medieval Church and its institutions. His hoped-for outcome was to enlighten the Pope on the church’s manifold errors so as to prompt a reformation from within, with the charge

by Paul Schreiber

led by the Papacy to correct the divergent teachings that had hardened into doctrine over time and which, in turn, caused it to veer widely from the original teachings of Christ and His apostles. A Man Named Martin—Part Two: The Moment features several professional church workers, pastors, and scholars such as Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb, Dr. Joel Lampe, Rev. Dr. Paul Maier, Dr. Susan Mobley, Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, and others. Together these contributors add their brushstrokes—along with The Lutheran Hour Speaker and host Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz—to paint a fascinating picture of competing ideologies, historical events, and personality clashes—all of which were at play and came to a head with Luther’s famous nailing of the 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg. With this singular act, Luther invited debate over these issues, challenging the church at Rome and ultimately putting himself at great risk for retribution from the established late Medieval Church and the political powers that be. This Bible study includes a discussion guide and supplemental material, The Reformation Twelve. This text highlights 12 individuals who were “essential parts of the rise and success of the Reformation,” according to author Rev. Wayne Palmer. As your church celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, consider including this program in your Bible study schedule for 2016-17. n

You can find this and all the rest of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Bible studies at www.lhm.org/studies.

The main visual on the DVD cover shows Luther defending his theological positions.

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Achievements through LHM (from page 21) Both of you have chosen to give where you work and are financial supporters of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Why do you give? Delle: Because I believe in the mission of spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. I shouldn’t ask others to do what I’m not willing to do myself. Dave: I give because I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of what we do here. As a donor, I am aware of where my dollars go and why. Everyone here is very conscious about how we budget for resources and programs. We constantly ask if whatever project we are working on is a good stewardship use of the money entrusted to us by our donors. Many times I think about whether or not “Aunt Flora” (a real person by the way) would approve of us spending her donation on developing a particular Bible study or booklet.

What would you want to tell donors who support Lutheran Hour Ministries about the impact of their giving? Delle: The impact of LHM is felt locally and internationally...in places not comfortable with the Gospel of Christ. The LHM message is very well positioned to do the work of spreading the Gospel to millions of nonbelieving

people around the world. The impact of your giving is even more important today to reach adults as well as the younger generation with the Gospel message. To engage, encourage, and empower those that are lost and need to hear the Gospel is our continued challenge and mission. The ministries at LHM are flexible and versatile in its programming to meet the cultural needs of a changing society. Resources such as Mission U, video-based Bible Studies, The Lutheran Hour’s Action in Ministry, the Men’s NetWork, International Volunteer Team Programs, Daily Devotions, and Digital Missions are the many powerful programs that prove we have the finger on the pulse of what is needed. Lutheran Hour Ministries takes God’s message where you and I cannot individually go and multiplies your work many times over.

Dave, anything you would add? Dave: I would emphatically say, “Thank you!” Every donation makes a difference, and we couldn’t do what we do without your support. We don’t take it for granted. We appreciate how you entrust us to do what we do each day to reach the unchurched—in North America and around the world. We couldn’t do it without you. n

Recent Additions to LHM Leadershisip Two recent additions have been made to pivotal positons of the Lutheran Hour Ministries staff to enhance the efforts of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. Ken Ohlemeyer is Director, Marketing and Creative Services. He provides leadership for creative strategies, quality, and support of LHM’s marketing, creative, and production functions. With 28 years of progressive experience in marketing and communications leadership, he comes to LHM after serving as senior account manager at the Brighton Agency marketing communications firm. Before rejoining Brighton in 2013, he was an account group and business development lead for AdFarm Advertising. Other past positons include leading the marketing and sales efforts as director of client services for a global agricultural marketing research firm. He is active in his congregation where he serves as an elder and Bible study leader. Ohlemeyer is a Certified Business Communicator (CBC) and a recent board member of the St. Louis Advertising Club. He is currently a board member and past-president of the St. Louis Media History Foundation. He has been an adjunct professor at Washington University.

The Lutheran Layman July - August 2016

Rev. Dr. Anthony (Tony) Cook serves as Director, United States Ministries. He provides leadership and operational management of the direction, strategies, and initiatives for the U.S. Ministries Division. Cook brings 22 years in ministry experience to LHM, including 17 years in curriculum design and development, distance curricula, educational technology, and leadership. His background includes serving as a parish pastor and consulting numerous Christian entities on curriculum design and development, Synchronous distance learning, Internet technologies, and sharing the Gospel through various forms of multimedia. Cook served as Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, specializing in education, pastoral theology plus leadership, and postmodern studies, including courses on preaching to post moderns, post-liberal theology, and emerging Christianity. He also served as Concordia Seminary’s Director of Curriculum Design and Development. Cook received his Ph.D. from St. Louis University and an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. n

TV Classics (from page 11) interest and viability of rebroadcasting the program on one of the many new TV networks,” he added. Viewers may find themselves surprised by the continued relevance of these episodes, especially when considering the distance in time from their original airing. This, in fact, speaks volumes; for while the Gospel message they refer to is timeless, sad to say, so are the issues and problems they engage. “Every show Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz has a spiritual message. What’s most striking is the topics they tackled when originally aired and how we are still dealing with those same problems. There’s a real excitement from those who have been touched by this program, and we are continually amazed by the stories that convey the impact the Gospel message in the show has had through the years,” Arand said. At the end of each episode viewers will note a curious credit: “Additional content produced by the jail ministry of Hollywood Impact Studios” (HIS), www.hollywoodimpactstudios. com. In 2008 founders Gary and Cyndi Hall launched HIS as a faith-based “outreach” program, which uses TV and filmmaking as a training ground for Hollywood professionals to mentor incarcerated men in the Los Angeles Country Jail system. The Halls—and many others in the industry—have been working with prisoners, teaching them film production, editing, screenwriting, and other cinematic skills. The work of Hollywood Impact Studios on the This is the Life Classics can be seen in the writing, directing, filming, and editing of the opening and closing footage, featuring Rev. Seltz. n Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.

This Is the Life Classics DVD will be available this fall.